The Colorism exhibit has been a concept for over a year, and throughout this year we will feature exhibits focused on it. Colorism is one of the deadliest issues to impact melanated people around the world. Although we normally think of economics, politics, and other facets. Colorism hits at the core of identifying culture, self hate and many other issues.

Some people are familiar with colorism from the infamous Willie Lynch document, some of the infamous NOI teachings, and finally just by living as a melanated person in the world. Colorism is not specific to one country, it is a curse that plagues all countries, and cultures.

Melanin is the amazing molecule that gives us our multitude of skin hues, however some would tell you that the amount of Melanin your body contains is in your skin. This is incorrect as it exists in every organ of your body. So then the common question after that topic is…”well, how much melanin do I have?”. The answer is relative, you are born with the amount of melanin your recent ancestors contained as well as what is needed for the environment you are born into. Environmental changes require thousands of years before it affects hue. As an example, the Inuit, eskimos have always been dark. We recommend reviewing the research on Melanin to understand it provides more than just hue to you.

We often use colorism to decide our team, when in fact all of humanity is our team. This exhibit focuses on showcasing how one person can look so different to many people based simply on hue. As you review the images please keep in mind this is the same person in each image.

Every country on earth sells bleaching creams in their main cities so that darker people can be lighter. Some lighter people want to be darker. When you think about it, it gets crazy. Love the hue you have, and appreciate others. No self hate. No one chooses the hue they are born into and we must learn to love ourselves, and identify based on culture and values, not hues.

It is ok to have a particular hue or group of hues as your preference for a mate. It is not ok to judge others based on the perceived melanin content or hue of their skin. The beautiful aspect of people is we are all different, and yet all the same. As you review the images ask yourself which images you think are beautiful and why?

I have seen a few Afrocentrics accidentally condemn huge populations of our people because of what is considered either a lack of melanin or low levels. This is illogical for many reasons, however I will give one simple one. Most Black or Brown people that are extremely light all the way to dark brown tan or darken, and if they continue to persist to live in an environment let’s say 23 to 30 degrees near the equator, tha tan does not leave, it stays, and evens out even more. This ability of the body to do this is accomplished by melanin. So to attempt to judge or quantify a person’s melanin content that does not live in this region is a bit illogical and illustrates a fundamental lack of logic. It does however, illustrate an extreme view of self love to compensate for self hate.

Challenge your programming.

This exhibit is a collaboration with a local SL Artist: Skully

The mission: Develop images highlighting the beauty of our people. He exceeded our expectations. Please visit his Gallery and give him feedback.

Resources: The resources listed focus only on the common molecular uses, and does not contain African or African American cultural views of Melanin. We do recommend researching those topics as well.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22615-melanin

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/melanin/melaninh.htm

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